Chains of Office display
A Chain of Office symbolizes the mayor's service to the municipality. The chain also symbolizes the strength and diversity of Ottawa communities. The idea comes from the medieval tradition of livery collars where colourful fabric collars, unique to a powerful individual, were worn by their servants for identification. British municipalities began to copy this behaviour in the 1500s. Many Canadian municipalities adopted the practice.
With amalgamation in 2000, a number of Chains of Office used by former municipalities were retired and are now on display.
Location and Hours:
Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West
613-580-2857 (TTY: 613-580-2401)
Open daily 9 am to 5 pm, excluding holidays.
(Hours may vary for special events.)
Free admission. Wheelchair accessible.
Context - photo display
Discover our photographic exhibition - Context - highlighting diversity in Ottawa’s photographic collection.
The City of Ottawa Archives has over three million photographs in our collection. The featured photographs - from the Ottawa Journal - broadly capture normal, everyday life in Ottawa.
June 16, 2023 to May 31, 2024
Location and hours:
110 Laurier Avenue West - Heritage Building, First Floor
Information: 613-580-2857 TTY: 613-580-2401
NOTE: Entrance to exhibit via the Lisgar Street door.
Open Monday to Friday, 9 am to 5 pm.
Closed Saturday and Sunday.
Free admission. Wheelchair accessible.
Caribbean festival charity ball at the Holiday Inn, 1975
City of Ottawa Archives | CA027686
Gifts to the Mayors of Ottawa
The Gifts to the Mayors of Ottawa collection represents symbols of friendship that the City of Ottawa shares with individuals and countries all over the world. The City has a commitment towards the long-term care of this special collection.
The giving of gifts is a ritual that dates to the ancient times when gifts were given as a gesture of goodwill between peoples of different cultures and clans. In the modern world, this important ritual is a formal diplomatic activity between visiting dignitaries.
The City of Ottawa Archives is focused on acquiring, preserving and making accessible Ottawa’s documentary heritage for current residents and for future generations. Since 1977, the Archives has been the official custodian of the gifts to the Mayors of Ottawa. Each gift is catalogued into the Archives’ database, researched and photographed. The gifts that are not currently on display are stored in one of four environmentally controlled vaults.
Location and Hours :
110 Laurier Avenue West - Heritage Building, First Floor
Information: 613-580-2857 TTY: 613-580-2401
NOTE: Entrance to exhibit via the Lisgar Street door.
Open daily 9 am to 5 pm, excluding holidays.
(Hours may vary for special events.)
Free admission. Wheelchair accessible.
Rideau Archives Exhibit: North Gower Township Hall Restoration
City of Ottawa Archives' Rideau Archives and Friends of the Rideau Archives invite you to view a new exhibit: North Gower Township Hall Restoration: 1980-1990 .
Discover North Gower's Rideau Archives. Built in 1876 by John A. Eastman, this building was beautifully restored and worth the trip! Volunteers are on hand to answer questions and tell a few stories!
6581 Fourth Line Road, North Gower
Open Tuesdays
June 6, 2023 to May 7, 2024
The Canadian Tribute to Human Rights
The Canadian Tribute to Human Rights monument is dedicated to the struggle for fundamental rights and freedoms. The Tribute is located in Nelson Mandela Square on the grounds of Ottawa City Hall, at the intersection of Elgin Street and Lisgar Street.
Location and Hours
Ottawa City Hall, 110 Laurier Avenue West
Nelson Mandela Square - Ottawa City Hall grounds (intersection of Elgin Street and Lisgar Street)
613-580-2857 (TTY: 613-580-2401)
Open daily. The monument can be visited 24 hours per day.
Free admission.
Wheelchair accessible.
Paid parking available. FREE PARKING available at the City Hall garage on weekday evenings after 6 pm and all day on weekends.